I returned last week from my second trip out to the Standing Rock reservation where over 200 tribes from around the world are encamped. Many of you may just be seeing this story creep into main stream media but I can assure you that what is happening at the camps is truly historic. Years from now our nation will look back at this movement as the Native American equivalent to the Selma to Montgomery Civil Rights march in 1965.

"Wow!" I think, walking to the back of the line, "I'm doing that again." My sinuses are infused with rosemary and roasted red pepper. A flake of pastry lingers on my lips. I snag it with my tongue and savor the perfect blend of shortening and flour. The aftertaste eludes me. Is it garlic, nutmeg, cardamom perhaps?

Fingering my Pepper Fest fork, I scan the scene. A child clutches her mother's hand, a butterfly painted on her cheek. They are walking towards a man blowing giant soap bubbles on the lawn. It's a splendid fall day at Briar Chapel, a beautifully landscaped community between Pittsboro and Chapel Hill. I'm surrounded by familiar faces. I start waving at friends, many of them licking their fingers. It seems practically everyone I've ever met has come out for this event. After all, Abundance NC's Pepper Fest only comes around once a year.

1. Determine what the public wants.
2. Promise to give it to them.
3. If anyone asks how they are going to do this or pay for it, they say it is explained in detail in their Plan.
4. They do not give any details of this Plan. Instead they tell how the incumbent(s) caused this mess and that their Plan will fix it.

Body Language

While the other candidates are talking, they:

1. Smile a lot.

2. Gesture. Holding their hands and arms open generates trust by indicating
that they have nothing to hide.

The Story of The Pronoia Times newspaper (circa 2007-8) edited, designed, written, published, promoted, and folded by Gaines Steer. In full disclosure…..Here ‘tis:

After a hiatus of only 25.7 years, one R. Gaines Steer, former newspaper feature writer, stringer, and op-ed journalist, decided to re-enter the field of journalism. Never mind that legions of newspapers in the U.S. of A. were going out of business. Following in the footsteps of famed newspaper wizard, Hanky Finklestick (What! you never heard of him?), Gaines decided one sunlit day to create his own newspaper. No ordinary desire to be a mere editor or publisher, this pundit and “legend in his own mind” set out to mastermind an entire newspaper, all by his lonesome. Always wanted to be a cartooner and foreign correspondent and editorial writer, not to mention feature headliner and sales manager and cutting edge renaissance man of the newsprint world: a study in modesty…

Thomas D' Alesandro's impressive article about Chatham Park is just that and it's meant to be. It tolls all the bells and blows all the whistles of contemporary real estate developer speak promising a glorious outcome for the taking of land that was dong nothing, just minding it’s own business. Land, especially land within the profit to be made purview of builders and developers, is not supposed to just sit there and be itself and as long a government doesn’t step in to stop it, this is not an age of regulation, the tide has turned against it, although it’s needed as much as ever, even more so, now that development is becoming profitable again.

If politics makes for strange bedfellows, this peculiar presidential election is resulting in some bizarre liaisons in the political boudoir. Here are a couple of doozies.

Let's start with Hillary and her recent dalliance with the Neo-Cons. Neoconservatives, the wing of the Republican establishment that championed the invasion of Iraq in 2003, have abandoned the Republican candidate. Many are embracing Hillary. Robert D. Blackwell, former top Iraq adviser on the National Security Council; Kenneth Adelman, former Director of the Arms Control and Disarmament Agency; and Richard L. Armitage, former Deputy Secretary of State, all are voting for Hillary.

For the 15th year in a row, sculptors will display their creations at the Come Out and Play sculpture show at JimGin farm just outside Carrboro. Many of the works will be for sale. Artists keep 100 percent of the proceeds.

There are picnic receptions on Saturday, September 17, and 24 beginning at 3 p.m. and going until dark. There is no admission, and all are welcome, including dogs if they are on leashes. We know how much dogs love art!

Sculptures of many media and form, created by over 70 artists, will dot the landscape of this 17-acre horse farm at 150 Wild Horse Run, Pittsboro, NC 27312.

This show began in 2002 as part of a group of shows put on by Hunter Levinsohn, Jackie Helvey, Anke Gassen, Hollie Taylor, and Debbie Meyer to honor those directly affected by the events of 9/11. Attendees, who loved seeing sculpture in an outdoor setting, and artists, who often don't have a place to display larger sculptures, asked for it to continue. Over 2,000 people attended last year's show.

In honor of this 15th year, attendees will be given a free cookbook created by the artists and the show curators. The link to the invitation is www.comeoutandplay.info.

Chatham Literacy honors National Literacy Month

September is National Literacy Month and September 8 is International Literacy Day. To celebrate and bring focus to this critical issue, Chatham Literacy is sponsoring a number of events throughout the month. Chatham Literacy is a non-profit organization whose mission is to help adults, living or working in Chatham County, N.C., acquire the literacy and educational skills they need to function successfully in society. Here are the key events:

· September 27: You won’t want to miss Chatham Literacy’s fundraising dance party: Literacy Swings, which will be held from 7 to 9:30 p.m. on September 27 at the Pittsboro Roadhouse. For a $20 donation, you’ll be able to dance to the fabulous sounds of The Ambassadors, a 20-member swing-era band that has been pleasing area crowds since 2003. Advance registration is required for Literacy Swings and can be made online at www.chathamliteracy.org or by calling 919.542.6424. Food and drinks are not included with your event donation, but the Roadhouse will donate 10 percent of all event-related food and beverage sales to the organization.

Concerts for a Cause Fall 2016

Lupine Productions is thrilled to announce Concerts for a Cause 2016 on Saturdays in September!

The Alzheimer’s Association of NC provides education, support and services to individuals with dementia, their families, health care professionals and the general public while raising awareness and funding for research of a cause(s), treatment, prevention and cure for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.

Concerts for a Cause follows a benefit 5K at Galloway Ridge. For more info and to register for the 5K:
gallowayridge.com/walk-5K-run.

SEPTEMBER 17 to benefit The Zafer Julian Estill Memorial Fund
Music: Saludos Compay (a full evening of music from this stellar band!)

This special fund honors Zafer Estill, a young life gone too soon. The parent organization, Abundance NC, brings people together to cultivate and celebrate community resilience in the Piedmont of North Carolina. This fund will find a special way to honor Zafer while following the mission of Abundance NC.

SEPTEMBER 24 to benefit Chatham Partnership for Children
Music: The David Wax Museum and story telling for kids of all ages from Louise Kessel

Chatham Partnership for Children works together with the county’s families and organizations to create a healthy and wholesome environment in which all young children can reach their greatest potential.

Murder mystery dinner theater to benefit NC Arts Incubator

The Maiming of the Shrew, a murder mystery dinner theater event, will be held to benefit the NC Arts Incubator. The event will be held at the Siler City Country Club, 150 Country Club Rd., Siler City on Saturday September 24. It will start at 6 p.m. Cash Bar/Cocktail Hour with dinner and the mystery to begin at 7 p.m.. The tickets will include a 4-course meal as well as a 4-act play. Special thanks go to our sponsors and volunteers. For more information call the NC Arts Incubator at 919.663.1335 or just stop by and visit at 223 N. Chatham Ave., Siler City.

2016 Durham, Orange & Chatham Parade of Homes

The Home Builders Association (HBA) of Durham, Orange & Chatham Counties presents the 2016 Parade of Homes on October 1­2, 7­9 & 14­16 from Noon – 5 p.m. in exciting new homes throughout Durham, Orange and Chatham Counties. In its 33rd year of inviting the public to view some of the finest homes in the area, this HBA event showcases new home construction with innovative designs, products, and technology. A variety of homes will be on Parade, meeting the needs of home buyers in all price ranges, from budget conscious shoppers to those looking for a grand estate. 20 homes on Parade have met the stringent requirements of Home Innovations NGBS Green Certification.

The Parade of Homes is free of charge and offers prospective buyers the opportunity to see fresh products and designs in the new home industry in a comfortable and relaxed environment. No registration is required, and the public is invited to visit any, or all, of the homes. At each Parade home, books are available providing price and floor plan information, maps, and directions to all of the homes on the Parade. Parade books are also available at various locations in our community including Harris Teeter magazine racks.

For more information on the Parade of Homes, call the HBA at 919.493.8899 or visit www.TriangleParadeofHomes.com. Also follow the HBADOC Parade of Homes on Facebook. The Parade is sponsored by Stock Building Supply and The Herald­Sun.

The Home Builders Association is affiliated with the National Association of Home Builders and the North Carolina Home Builders Association. It has more than 600 members who are builders, developers, subcontractors, suppliers, and professionals in businesses related to residential construction. For more information, please call 919.493.8899.

Chatham author will discuss life in Hitler's Germany - www.DarkerTheNight.com

Author Lisa London will be signing her historical novel, Darker the Night, and discussing what she has learned about civilian life in Nazi Germany on September 25 at 3 p.m. at St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church 204 W. Salisbury Street in Pittsboro. The signing is jointly sponsored by Daughters of the King and the Episcopal Church Women.

London, author of the top-selling Accountant Beside You series of books for nonprofits and churches, was inspired to write Darker the Night after her friend, Mrs. Sensale, spoke of enjoying the outings of her Hitler Youth group. "It was fun. As young girls, we were allowed to go play in the mountains and do things proper young women weren’t supposed to do."

After encouraging her friend to share more experiences, London realized the intrigue of a novel from the perspective of a German civilian. Darker the Night follows Hedy’s desire to become a physical therapist to assist the German soldiers as she is thwarted time and time again by the Nazis. Instead she must assemble airplanes, dodge bombs, battle hunger, and stand up to invading tanks. As the pride in her country is shattered with the news of Nazi atrocities, Hedy's father reminds her, "The darker the night, the brighter the stars." Is her star the charming American Counter-Intelligence Agent who keeps appearing in the oddest places?

D. Dovovan, Senior Reviewer for The Midwest Book Review made the story a special recommendation. "…a stunningly realistic, absorbing quality that will make it a powerful juxtaposition to Diary of Anne Frank, recounting the youth experience from quite a different vantage…" Chris Fischer of Reader’s Favorite gave it five stars and said, "Author Lisa London has done a fantastic job in creating a character in Hedy that readers will connect with, relate to, and ultimately care about very much. If that isn't a hallmark of a great author, I'm not sure what is."

London has been pleased with the response to the book. "At each speaking engagement or signing, people have come up to tell me how it reminded them of their families' stories. I even had a World War II vet come to a signing and ask to see Hilde. He wanted to apologize for bombing her home."

Each chapter begins with a historical quote or piece of propaganda. "I want the reader to get a feel for what was influencing the average German citizen at the time," said London. Video interviews with the woman who inspired the story are available at www.DarkerTheNight.com and Youtube.com.
Media kit and photos are available on request and at www.DarkerTheNight.com. London is available for interviews and appearances. For booking presentations, media appearances, interviews, and/or book signings, contact publicity@deepriverpressinc.com or the author directly at 919.770.3746.

Ruth Moose Second Novel, Wedding Bell Blues

Sequel to Doing it at the Dixie Dew Released - Twenty-Seven years ago Ruth Moose wrote a novel, Doing it at the Dixie Dew. She entered it in a contest at St.Martin’s Press where it was a finalist. The editors asked for some changes and Moose at that time was in graduate school, working full time as a Reference Librarian at Pfeiffer University and didn’t have time to drop everything to revise. Years went by with many life changes for Moose: jobs, she joined the Creative Writing Faculty at UNC and in l996 moved to Fearrington Village. The novel also underwent technical changes from being written on a Kaypro word processer (with the original floppy disk) to a Dell (the hard squares) to a Mac system. Each time Moose tinkered with the novel too, including going from a third person narrator to first person. When Moose entered the St.Martin’s contest in 2013, her novel won the $10,000 prize and Doing it at the Dixie Dew was published in 2014.

Dixie Dew was more successful than Moose imagined including being chosen by two national book clubs and going into a large print edition. Readers loved the characters, the setting of Littleboro, which a lot of people think is Pittsboro. They wanted more. A group in Raleigh called Read and Go, even came to spend the day in Pittsboro after they read Doing it at the Dixie Dew. They ate at Verlie's Grill and loved it. Visited downtown shops, got a tour at the Chatham County history museum, the public library and Chatham Marketplace. They called this the Ruth Moose Mystery Tour and wanted a sequel.

St. Martin's also wanted a sequel. Could Moose raise up these characters, call them into literary being after all this span of time? Not an easy job. Foreboding even. Dixie Dew was 60,000 words. St. Martin’s wanted more! The sequel had to be 80,000 words. Just the number intimated Moose who began her career as a short story writer with publications in Atlantic, Redbook, Ladies Home Journal, Alaska Quarterly Review and scores of literary magazines.

According to advance sales and rave reviews of Wedding Bell Blues, Moose did it. And did it very well. Wedding Bell Blues debuted at McIntyre's Books in Fearrington Village September 10 with a standing room only crowd and according to Peter Mock, is "flying off the shelves." Wedding Bell Blues is also available at Circle City Books as well as Joyful Jewel and national booksellers around the country. Also online ordering.

Ruth Moose will be reading First Sunday in Pittsboro at Joyful Jewel, October 2. The 2 p.m. reading and reception is free and open to everyone who loves good literature. And a great success story.